User blog comment:Brigadier Barty/Mossflower Country & Beyond: Unleash the Beasts of War/@comment-3135907-20141227182923

Old Brother Balen [beɪ̯lɛn] the Sage

Gender: Male

Species: Dormouse

Appearance: A gray dormouse in his upper seasons, somewhat bent-over (but not so much as to be disabling), complete with a long, flowing, silver-flecked beard and a pair of chipped-crystal pince-nez spectacles, which rest simply on his weathered face. Everything about him holds an air of the pride and respect that comes with advanced age, except his almond-honey-colored eyes, which still retain a youthful sparkle. He dresses simply in a rough-spun brown habit and faded-white girdle, and carries a rich, dark ebony-toned staff that has been twisted by a vine to give it a spiralling appearance.

Personality: The "Old Sage" is a respected historian, recorder, and inventor of good ales- and also known to be profoundly obsessed with riddles, puzzles and other such exercises of the brain. He helps the Dibbuns set up games, the other Abbeybeasts do chores, and has even been seen slipping into the Kitchens to whip up a batch of tarts on occasion. His interests vary widely, and as such he is a jack of all trades and promoter of getting the most out of life, even in old age. Nothing can depress Balen the Sage.

Weapon(s): His staff

Position: Historian, Recorder and Cellarmouse of Redwall Abbey